Forces’ casualty highest in 10 yrs

Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 14

With 86 security personnel losing their lives in the line of duty this year, the number has touched a 10-year high in Kashmir. 

According to official data accessed by The Tribune, more than 230 militants have been killed since January, which is also the highest since 2010, while 86 security men were also killed during this period.

While the security forces achieved major successes this year in its anti-militancy campaign, the J&K Police have been targeted the most. The police force lost 44 of its men, highest since 2006 when they lost 78 cops. Most of the fatalities have taken place when the cops were either at home or off duty, especially in south Kashmir.

The Army lost 32 of its men in counter-infiltration operations, ceasefire violations and blasts along the Line of Control in Kashmir this year.

Adviser to Governor Vijay Kumar said the counter-insurgency operations were a major success this year. “We have neutralised some top commanders of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen along with their allies. However, the other side bears the brunt too. This year, the J&K Police, which have been at the forefront, suffered the maximum casualties. Unfortunately, the ratio cannot always be zero in such circumstances,” Kumar, a retired IPS officer, said.

He said the synergy of the security forces had been at its best this year.

A senior security official said there had been a slight increase in forces’ fatalities this year and it was because of a high number of anti-militancy operations.

“The casualties of forces are directly linked with more anti-militancy operations. More the operations, more are the chances of causalities. Moreover, the number of terrorists killed has also seen a rise,” IG, CRPF, Srinagar sector, Ravideep Sahi, said.

According to the Home Ministry data, 80 security forces personnel were killed in 2017 and 82 in 2016. As many as 182 casualties were reported in 2007.

“The numbers (fatalities of forces) are just figures. Overall, the militant infrastructure and leadership has been hit this year and there is an improvement in the ground situation,” said a police officer, preferring anonymity.  Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir on Wednesday told the Rajya Sabha that 238 militants were neutralised by the forces in J&K and 86 forces personnel were killed till December 2.